England’s ‘Play Streets’ Initiative Shuts Down Streets so Kids are Free to Play in their Neighborhood
by Jennifer Chait, 06/17/13 filed under: eco play, green family, green kids
Image courtesy of Shutterstock
An outstanding new initiative called Play Streets has just launched in Reading, a large town in Berkshire, England. Though an ocean away, this locale’s bright idea is something many communities worldwide should try to imitate and implement. The concept behind Play Streets is to close down a street for a set time in order to allow children to play safely on their own street with friends who live nearby (Yep, just like how we used to play in our neighborhoods as kids). For adults, the program offers the added opportunity to get to know their neighbors. A Play Street can be created for up to three hours, on any day of the week, and up to once every fortnight — giving kids some free time without parents having to worry that they’re running around with cars. Inhabitants of residential neighborhoods can fill out an application requesting to participate. Due to the nature of the program, applicants must collect supporting signatures from about two-thirds of all residents who live on the street. The program will be running as a trial for one year, but hopefully Play Streets will be a success and will continue indefinitely. This program is a great way to help increase childhood activity while allowing kids to simply be kids. Wouldn’t you love to see a program like this in your community?
5 Green Summer Camps & How to Find an Eco-Minded Summer Camp Near You
by Jennifer Chait, 06/17/13 filed under: green education series, green family, green kids
Most summer camps have eco-friendly attributes, such as kids playing outside, lots of active sports and exercise, nature-minded activities and recycling programs. However, some summer camps go above and beyond the basics in order to make sure kids spend the summer becoming better protectors of the planet. Keep reading to learn about some awesome summer camps that focus on sustainability, conservation and green-minded activities -- and learn how to locate a green summer camp in your neck of the woods.
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6 of the World’s Coolest Green Playgrounds
by Beth Buczynski, 06/16/13 filed under: architecture, eco play, green design, green kids
With summer already in full swing, I've been daydreaming about that playground, remembering all the fun we had playing hide-and-seek in the crawl spaces and pretending to be pirates spying land from the highest spires. I started wondering if kids these days still had cool playground in which to burn excess calories and let their imaginations run wild. Boy are there ever!
Not only are people still building playgrounds that inspire rambunctious play, they're getting creative about the materials and design. Many are upcycled from creatively repurposed stuff that might otherwise have ended up in the landfill. If you're looking for a family-friendly adventure this summer, seek out one or more of these awesome green playgrounds during your travels!
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CoolKidsNYC’s Edgy Organic Collection Gives Trendy Kids Street Credit
by Sherrell Dorsey, 06/16/13 filed under: eco baby clothing, green baby, green kids, kids clothingWell-dressed kids aren’t born, they’re styled. And funky organic clothing retailer CoolKidsNYC makes it effortless to outfit kiddos in chic apparel. Your little fashionista can express herself in an offbeat organic pineapple print tee or look snappy in the crocodile tee that’s sure to turn heads. We’re stoked about this kid-friendly organic collection that specializes in unique high-quality threads with a bit of inspiration from the streets of New York City. “We find inspiration in the dynamic style and colorful soul of New York City and its diverse neighborhoods. CoolKidsNYC encourages you to experience the fashion sense of artsy SoHo, the urban Hip Hop of the South Bronx, the swagger of Harlem’s 125th Street, the exclusive glamour and flair of Madison and 5th Avenues, the punk-rock and skater styles of the Lower East Side and the bohemian feel of Brooklyn all under one domain,” the brand boasts on its website.
Check out the collection of stylish organic fashions here.
Eco-Friendly Musical Instruments That Will Delight Tots
by Beth Shea, 06/15/13 filed under: eco play, eco toddler, green baby, green kids, green toys, link roundupDid you know that early music training benefits your baby’s brain? With that in mind, we’ve rounded up 5 green musical toys for your budding musician! The eco-friendly xylophone pictured above emits such a sweet sound that parents and tots alike will appreciate an enthusiastic jam session. If you like to get crafty with recyclables, then you’re playing our tune. Strum up this guitar using a juice box! This sweet animal themed wooden instrument set is a musical menagerie of fun! It includes an elephant rhythm block, a bunny tambourine and a lion castanet! The tiniest babies can start on a harmonious path with this musical ladybug rattle made from sustainable wood. If your little one’s best doll friend or plush pal wants to join the band, outfit him/her with this adorable hand crafted guitar designed especially for dollies. It’s not a conventional instrument, but we’re totally on board with this awesome toy train that runs along a musical track. And check out what one ingenious mom made for her music loving daughter — a dollhouse inside of a guitar!
Babywearing Daddy Doll Promotes Childcare as a Family Affair
by Jennifer Chait, 06/14/13 filed under: babywearing, eco play, green toysGone are the days when mom, and mom alone took care of the baby. Nowadays, REAL men know that dads can help promote breastfeeding, change diapers like a pro, co-sleep like a champ and would never ever dream of referring to taking care of their own tyke as “babysitting.” In some ways, moms still shoulder the bulk of the responsibilities with regard to cleaning house and basic child care, as recent studies indicate. However we’d love to totally even out the parenting playing field and we fully appreciate thoughtfully designed toys that can help us do just that! These adorable Waldorf based knit baby-wearing dolls come in both mama and daddy styles! Made by the amazing Freja Toys, these knit dolls are truly adorable and made with child-safe materials such as 50% wool/50% viscose thread, 100% cotton thread and stuffed with hypo-allergenic toy stuffing. These dolls will let your child know from a young age that both mom and dad can carry and care for a wee babe — a perfect lesson for imaginative kids in the role playing phase. Each of these lovely babywearing dolls comes with both a parent (mom or dad) and a tiny baby in a sling too! Best of all, you will not believe the price. At just $42 a pop it’s almost a crime not to pick one of these dolls up and get your child on a path to parenting equality early on. And of course, these babywearing daddy dolls are also great for families with two proud papas!
HOW TO: Make Vegan, Gluten-Free Frozen Chocolate Banana Bites
by Ana Lisa Alperovich, 06/14/13 filed under: food, healthy recipe, kid friendly, snack, vegan cookingSingle-Load Liquid Laundry Packets are a Serious Health Hazard for Kids
Image courtesy CPSC The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) received about 500 incident reports in 2012 involving injury due to colorful single load liquid laundry packets. In response, CPSC is
Huggies Designs Pregnancy Belt that Lets Dads “Feel” Baby’s Kick When Mom Does
Dads-to-be don’t have the benefit of experiencing the joys of pregnancy in a physical sense (or the morning sickness for that matter), but a new pregnancy belt designed by Huggies is giving new dads a
The Quinny Jett LongboardStroller is a Stroller/Skateboard Hybrid!
Skateboarders rejoice! The new Quinny Jett turns an unassuming jaunt in the stroller into an invigorating skate session. The longboard stroller was designed by Studio Peter Van Riet for Quinny, combining
Unacceptable Levels is a New Film that Documents the Immense Harm Chemicals are Causing People and the Planet
Unacceptable Levels is a new film that examines the many problems we face due to rampant chemical use in our world. Filmmaker and father, Ed Brown, interviewed leading experts in the fields of science,
Sleep Deprived Moms May Have Higher Risk of Developing Heart Disease
Image courtesy Shutterstock It’s very easy to fall into a super-mom position where you take on the bulk of the child raising, chores and the insurmountable tasks that seem to surround moms who
Children’s Cancer Center Administers Chemotherapy As “Superformula” to Bring Hope to Young Patients
Battling cancer requires the strength and resilience of a superhero. For patients of any age, undergoing chemotherapy is a harrowing ordeal that leaves the body feeling weak and ravaged. With this in
Pregnant Boys Belly Up to Responsibility in Chicago’s Teen Pregnancy Prevention Campaign
The Chicago Department of Public Health’s Office of Adolescent and School Health has launched a new “unexpected” 2013 teen pregnancy prevention campaign featuring pregnant teen boys.
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